Construction Accident Lawyer in Queens

Construction accidents rarely leave workers dealing with just one problem. You may be hurt, missing paychecks, going back and forth to medical appointments, and getting calls from an insurance company all at the same time.

A construction accident lawyer in Queens can look into how the accident happened, determine whether someone else may be responsible, and help you pursue compensation for what the injury has cost you. At Levine And Wiss, we bring more than 100 years of combined experience to injured New Yorkers and have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients.

When you need a Queens personal injury lawyer, you’ll work with a team that understands how complicated construction cases can become. Our attorneys, paralegals, and in-house investigators work together from the beginning, and consultations are free.

How a Construction Accident Lawyer in Queens Can Help

Construction sites are busy, loud, and constantly changing. When something goes wrong, there may be several companies on the site, different insurance policies, and conflicting stories about who was responsible. That can make a construction accident claim more complicated than it first appears.

Our attorneys investigate the construction site, review accident reports and medical records, speak with witnesses, and look for photographs, videos, camera footage, and other evidence. When needed, we can also work with accident reconstruction professionals and expert witnesses to understand exactly how an incident happened.

A construction accident lawyer in Queens can also examine whether someone other than your employer may be responsible. Workers’ compensation may provide benefits after an on-the-job injury, but a third-party lawsuit could provide another path to compensation when a property owner, contractor, subcontractor, or another responsible party contributed to the accident.

Construction Site Accidents Can Cause Life-Changing Injuries

Construction work puts workers around scaffolds, ladders, heavy machinery, electrical wires, trenches, and construction materials every day. Even experienced workers can suffer serious injuries when safety equipment fails, or a construction site isn’t properly maintained.

Common construction site incidents include:

• Falls from heights: Workers can be injured after falling from scaffolds, ladders, roofs, platforms, or other elevated work areas.
• Falling objects: Tools, debris, equipment, and construction materials can cause traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or other serious injuries.
• Scaffolding accidents: Defective, unstable, or improperly secured scaffolding can expose workers to dangerous fall risks.
• Heavy machinery accidents: Cranes, loaders, forklifts, and other machinery can cause crushing injuries and severe trauma.
• Electrical injuries: Exposed electrical wires and unsafe equipment may cause burns, shocks, and other potentially life-threatening injuries.
• Trench collapses: Improperly supported excavations can collapse and trap or seriously injure workers.

Some injuries are obvious immediately. Others, including spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injury, or post-traumatic stress disorder, may require ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitative therapies.

New York Labor Law May Protect Injured Construction Workers

New York has specific worker protection laws that can matter after a construction accident. Labor Law Section 240, often called the Scaffold Law, addresses certain elevation-related risks and requires covered owners, contractors, and their agents to provide appropriate safety devices for workers performing specified work on buildings or structures.

Labor Law Section 241 also establishes safety requirements for construction, excavation, and demolition work. Among other requirements, Section 241(6) provides that covered work areas must be arranged, equipped, guarded, and operated to provide reasonable and adequate protection and safety.

New York City construction sites are also subject to oversight by the NYC Department of Buildings. The agency can issue a Stop Work Order when inspectors identify unsafe work or conditions. Evidence of safety problems, prior violations, or conditions at the site may become important when our lawyers investigate what caused an accident.

Who May Be Responsible for a Construction Accident?

Responsibility isn’t always limited to the construction worker’s direct employer. A project can involve property owners, general contractors, subcontractors, equipment companies, and other businesses. Figuring out who controlled the work and who had legal safety obligations is a major part of investigating third-party liability claims.

Depending on the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include:

• Property owners: An owner may have legal responsibilities depending on the work performed and the circumstances of the accident.
• General contractors: Contractors may face liability when applicable safety duties or New York Labor Law requirements are violated.
• Subcontractors: A subcontractor may be responsible when its work, equipment, or conduct contributes to an injury.
• Other companies: Outside companies working at the site may create unsafe conditions that cause an accident.

These cases are very fact-specific. That’s one reason we investigate early instead of assuming the accident was simply an unavoidable part of construction work.

What Compensation May Be Available?

A serious injury can create expenses long after the initial emergency room visit or hospital stay. There are immediate bills, but there may also be future medical care, rehabilitation costs, wages lost while you recover, and future missed work if you can’t return to the same job.

Depending on the case, a personal injury lawsuit or third-party claim may seek economic damages for financial losses and non-economic damages for losses such as pain and suffering. The amount available depends on the injuries, liability, available insurance coverage, and other individual circumstances.

We gather medical records, employment information, witness statements, photographs and videos, and other evidence that can help document these losses. We also work with medical and economic expert witnesses when their knowledge can help strengthen a case.

Talk to Levine And Wiss About Your Construction Accident

You don’t have to figure out a complicated construction accident case while you’re also trying to heal. A construction accident attorney in Queens from Levine And Wiss can review what happened, explain potential third-party claims, and deal with the insurance company while you focus on your medical treatment and family.

We’re available 24/7, and our attorneys aren’t afraid to litigate or take a case to trial when that’s what the situation requires. You can speak directly with our lawyers, including by text, and we offer office, virtual, and hospital appointments. Contact Levine And Wiss for a free consultation and find out what options may be available after your construction accident.